Researchers create wirelessly-powered robot swarm

Wireless power has come a long way from Nikola Tesla's early ruminations on the matter, and it looks like some researchers from Duke and Georgia Tech are now taking the idea to its logical, robot-powering conclusion. While their setup (thankfully) isn't yet able to power robots beyond the confines of the Q L-C resonator-equipped table, it does appear to work remarkably well in that limited proof-of-concept, with five bots each equipped with a non-resonant pickup coil able to follow a path around the table, or simply sit still to recharge their batteries. They were even able to power an LED light with the system for good measure. Natually, they eventually hope to expand the system to power larger swarms of robots and do away with the need for batteries altogether. Yeah, that's a good idea. Head on past the break for a video.

Wirelessly Powered Robot Swarm from Travis on Vimeo

[dvsbstrd @ Oct 17th 2008 12:56PM]

I, for one, welcome our self powered robot overlords.

[oZone @ Oct 17th 2008 1:53PM]

What a true first comment should be. I commend you, good sir.

[yell0jack3t @ Oct 17th 2008 1:02PM]

go jackets...making my degree even more valuable

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 17th 2008 1:02PM]

Action packed video. High-speed pursuit.

[Eric @ Oct 17th 2008 1:03PM]

Gray Goo here we come

[)law( @ Oct 17th 2008 1:11PM]

Robot swarm....why does that have a ominous sound to it. Couldn't you have just said robot parade, that sounds more positive and upbeat

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 17th 2008 1:18PM]

[your name]

[StalematE @ Oct 17th 2008 1:12PM]

that is awesome

[webon @ Oct 17th 2008 1:14PM]

mark my words, this is the first step towards them making US their batteries, or feeding the elderly to the newborn and so forth

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 17th 2008 1:19PM]

I fail to see the problem.

[Ali @ Oct 17th 2008 1:22PM]

Yay! GT on Engadget yet again!

[go jackets! @ Oct 17th 2008 1:43PM]

go GT!

[LondonConsultant @ Oct 17th 2008 2:11PM]

It doesn't look like a swarm - unless trains swarm...

[feffrey @ Oct 17th 2008 3:34PM]

When I saw the title and the picture, I was like what? no wires? There are wires connecting them together in a circle.
Then I read the part about line following
Doh!

[Canoo @ Oct 17th 2008 4:22PM]

clearly witchcraft.

[Emceay @ Oct 17th 2008 5:19PM]

I'm telling you, it won't be robot overlords. We will be old men with no healthcare, hunting robots to keep our cyborg parts in working order. In which case, a non-resonant pickup coil will be my first ganking. Gotta keep that pacemaker powered.

[Steven @ Oct 17th 2008 5:27PM]

Have you ever read Prey by Michael Crichton?

[Prokanda @ Oct 17th 2008 5:31PM]

I read this book just a few weeks ago. First thing I thought about as well. I guess it's time to raise the positive pressure.......

[Str1ker @ Oct 17th 2008 9:59PM]

How are they following that line?

[buttrockz @ Oct 18th 2008 1:06AM]

what possible good can come from this? is it just me or couldn't these guys be spending their brain power on developing things that won't eventually make our species obsolete? if these researchers can do this, why can't they look into health care, or something more beneficial? I for one do not welcome our wireless powered, self improving, programmable matter overlords...

[Chris @ Oct 18th 2008 3:13AM]

Imagine the implications for mass transportation! You could get on an electric car... that would follow a set rout on the street...(I know let's call it a "street car!") and get its power through light contact with a surface... oh...wait... they did that back in the 1860s and called them street cars. LOL.
Seriously though... this is great news if it means I can ditch the mess of cables behind my stereo or computer. :-)

[chrisp @ Oct 18th 2008 3:28AM]

This system is primitive compared to what Nikola Tesla had devised almost over 100 years ago. His system used scalar electromagnetic waves to transmit power wirelessly with ZERO attenuation. Humanity is going backwards I tell you, BACKWARDS!